Welcome

Welcome to the POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ/AIDSmeds community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: 2 weeks of constipation (Read 3640 times)

Hope everyone is well. I have been better. For the last two weeks I have been constipated. Bloating, feeling crappy (pardon the pun), sluggish, unsuccessful trips to the bathroom. Not a fun time.

I went to the doctor last week and he said occasional constipation is normal. Gave me some stool softeners, fiber pills, etc. This still hasn't cleared up and now my stomach is beginning to hurt on and off. My appetite is normal so I am concerned about where all the waste is going.

I have never been constipated before so don't know if it is normal for it to take this long to clear up. I am worried it is a bigger issue like a blockage or an infection.

Gosh..... Its not often there is a post on constipation! From my point of view the first question would be.....What are you eating? and Have you changed your diet at all?Think " fiber" ..... for getting things moving. Eat lots of salads and fresh fruits and veggies!Constipation often results from not eating enough "bulk"......or fiber. Check with your doctor if this persists.

I am feeling your pain !!Am just wondering if you know of something called tamarind, that asians use alot in their cooking ??Know for being laxative and digestive besides having calcium and vit B.You may like to google to see the possibilities of products available in your region. There are lots of things available in the asian grocery market : sweets, confection .......

Try increasing your water intake. Try timing your bowel movements at the same time each day, just shortly after a meal. Don't force it !! sit there an hour if you have to.Additional Fiber and stool softening supplements should help, but be cautious of using the stool softeners for any length of time. They can cause problems also. If none of this helps, get in touch with the doctor again.

Ginger, especially tea, also good. Grate 1-2 tablespoons of peeled fresh ginger into a cup of boiling water, put saucer on top & allow to infuse for about 10 minutes. Then strain and drink it. (I eat the pieces of grated ginger…) To boost this add a few fennel or dill seeds, they help relieve pain from bloating, flatulence and indigestion( & if its been 2 weeks, I’m guessing there’s a bit of that going on)

Aloe vera juice, and any juice high in sorbitol…prune, apple, pear…just lots of fluids, especially if you are taking/eating high fibre foods/Metamucil etc..too little water can cause bowel obstruction.

Linseed - Whole or cracked Linseed: 1 tablespoonful taken with 150ml(one-half cup) of water 2 to 3 times/day, or Linseed meal: 2 to 4 tablespoonfuls daily, make into a hot cereal. Again, lots to drink with this please..

Hope everyone is well. I have been better. For the last two weeks I have been constipated. Bloating, feeling crappy (pardon the pun), sluggish, unsuccessful trips to the bathroom. Not a fun time.

I went to the doctor last week and he said occasional constipation is normal. Gave me some stool softeners, fiber pills, etc. This still hasn't cleared up and now my stomach is beginning to hurt on and off. My appetite is normal so I am concerned about where all the waste is going.

I have never been constipated before so don't know if it is normal for it to take this long to clear up. I am worried it is a bigger issue like a blockage or an infection.

I am currently not on meds, good CD4 and low VL.

Any insights? Tips?

Thanks gang

The answer to your problem is go to the drugstore and get yourself some a box of enima and it will clear you out.

I just went thru 6 months of that. Turned out to be a parasite.(Giardia) from unwashed salads or rimming. I asked 3 months ago at my clinic and they said no it coiuldn't be a parasite unless I always had the runs. I was blocked solid. So they order an untra-sound. Go figure.Insist on a test for a parasite. I stopped eating (due to abdominal cramps),lost 20 pounds, and lost 6 months of work and gave up my anti-virals. They kept kicking around the IBS theory but you CAN'T get that diagnosis without a colonoscopyso don't let them tell you. I never even got one-- it was an emergencyhospital trip which confrimed the Giardia parasite-- not my clinic doctor. I am still supposed to get a colonoscopy but everything now seems to be clearing up.

Don't let this go on too long or your body will train itself to stop eating.I am now a super-model.

My diet is pretty high in fiber and I drink lots of water. I have added extra fiber, water, prune juice, etc for the last two weeks to no avail. This weekend I have fever and nightsweats so I made an appointment with my doc.

I will let you know the outcome...I am sure you are all on pins and needles

Went to the doctor yesterday. I have to go for a CT on Friday and then make an appointment with a GI doctor.

He gave me an antibiotic since I had a fever. I took it last night and didnt sleep well at all. I think I may be having a bit of an allergic reaction to it. Nothing major - just feel a bit itchy. Do you think I should continue taking the antibiotic?

My diet is pretty high in fiber and I drink lots of water. I have added extra fiber, water, prune juice, etc for the last two weeks to no avail. This weekend I have fever and nightsweats so I made an appointment with my doc.

I will let you know the outcome...I am sure you are all on pins and needles

I for one am 100% positive what the outcome will be....

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

My advice is to avoid Ex Lax and other laxatives if possible, as many of them create a dependence that's hard to kick.

Fiber supplements (the nasty things you dissolve... well, to a point... in water) and magnesium sulfate, much much water intake, and physical activity are your best bets here.

So what are they going to DO with the crap they are getting from that elephant anyhow?

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!